A MAN has been charged after allegedly trying to fly drugs into a maximum-security prison in Melbourne’s west using a drone.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said police and Air Wing were called to the Metropolitan Remand Centre in Ravenhall about 4.30pm after reports of a drone hovering near the facility.

They found a man and a woman in a car on Middle Rd shortly after with what was believed to be a drone with four engines and a small quantity of drugs.

The 28-year-old man, from Lalor, was arrested.

One of the more popular drones available is the Parrot AR. Picture: File.

He has been charged with attempting to commit an indictable offence and possessing a drug of dependence.

The man has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court next Monday.

According to a 3AW report, prison officers extensively searched the centre after the incident, but found nothing.

Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said the incident was worrying, but he pledged that police would fight any hi-tech contraband smuggling ­attempts head-on.

“Certainly, it’s a concern that elements within society would use different technologies to further their criminal pursuits. At the same time, Victoria Police will be engaging in advancing our capabilities through different technologies to ensure that we’re one step ahead of these criminal ­elements,” he said.

The hi-tech smuggling ­attempt is a modern version of throwing tennis balls filled with drugs over prison walls.

Maximum-security prisons use hi-tech machinery to ­detect contraband but they are still not impenetrable.

Sources say drugs, particularly methamphetamine or ice, are now widespread throughout the jail system.

Other contraband items in high demand are SIM cards, mobile phones and porn.

A Corrections Victoria spokesman said a combination of surveillance and intelligence was used to help identify the potential for contraband to be smuggled in.

“In this case, staff identified the remote-controlled vehicle and assisted Victoria Police in identifying two individuals,’’ he said.

“Following any attempt to breach security, an investigation takes place and thorough measures are employed to ensure the safety and security of the facility.’’

Corrections Victoria uses ion scanners to detect drugs on all visitors to our most secure prisons. Sniffer dogs and snap searches are also employed.

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